Coverage data transfer for communications with a non-terrestrial network node

Abstract

The present application relates to devices and components including apparatus, systems, and methods that support discontinuous network coverage. In an example, a UE and a network exchange information indicating a capability for using a control plane, a user plane, a short message service, and/or an operation and maintenance server for the transfer of coverage data of a non-terrestrial network indicating when and/or where non terrestrial network coverage can be available to the UE. Based on this information, the coverage data is provisioned on the UE and in the access and mobility function (AMF) in the network. Thereafter, the UE can determine when the UE is in the coverage area of the non-terrestrial network and can connect to a network node thereof, such as a base station.

1 . A method implemented by a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:
 causing an exchange of capability information with a control plane function of a network, the capability information indicating a supported type of data transfer for coverage data, the coverage data indicating at least one of location or timing of a network coverage by a non-terrestrial network (NTN) node of the network;   processing, by using the supported type of data transfer, the coverage data; and   causing communication with the NTN node based on the coverage data.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the exchange comprises causing the capability information to be sent to the control plane function, wherein the capability information indicates one or more data transfer types that the UE supports, and wherein the method further comprises:
 processing selection information that is received from the control plane function and that indicates a selection of the supported type of data transfer from the one or more data transfer types.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein causing the exchange comprises causing the capability information to be received from the control plane function, wherein the capability information indicates one or more data transfer types that the network supports, and wherein the method further comprises:
 selecting the supported type of data transfer from the one or more data transfer types.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the capability information indicates that the UE supports at least one of a control plane or a user plane for receiving the coverage data from the network. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the capability information indicates that the network supports at least one of a control plane or a user plane for sending the coverage data to the UE. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the supported type of data transfer corresponds to a control plane, wherein the coverage data is received from the control plane function by at least using the control plane, and wherein the control plane function includes a mobility management entity or an access and mobility management function. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coverage data is received by a non-access stratum (NAS) layer of the UE, wherein the coverage data is received in multiple portions based on a control plane protocol other than a NAS protocol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coverage data is transferred using a non-IP based mechanism or is received in a configuration update command message, an attach accept message, or a tracking area update accept message, and wherein the capability information is sent in a REGISTRATION REQUEST message, and wherein the coverage data is received in a REGISTRATION ACCEPT message. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coverage data is received in a message associated with a container type for transferring NTN node network coverage, wherein the message includes a downlink NAS transport message that is received based on an uplink NAS transport message sent from the UE. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the coverage data is received in a message associated with a container type for transferring NTN node network coverage, wherein the message includes a command message indicating a procedure transaction identity, a first message identity, and the container type, and wherein the method further comprises:
 causing a completion message to be sent to the control plane function, the completion message indicating the procedure transaction identity and a second message identity.   
     
     
         11 . A component to be implemented in an apparatus, the component comprising:
 processing circuitry configured to:
 cause an exchange of capability information with a control plane function of a network, the capability information indicating a supported type of data transfer for coverage data, the coverage data indicating at least one of location or timing of a network coverage by a non-terrestrial network (NTN) node of the network; 
 process, by using the supported type of data transfer, the coverage data; and 
 cause communication with the NTN node based on the coverage data; and 
   interface circuitry coupled with the processing circuitry, the interface circuitry configured to communicatively couple the processing circuitry with another component of the apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the supported type of data transfer corresponds to a user plane, and wherein the coverage data is received from an endpoint by at least using the user plane, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
 process an address of the endpoint and a token received from the control plane function; and   cause, based on the address, a request for the coverage data and the token to be sent to the endpoint.   
     
     
         13 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the supported type of data transfer corresponds to a user plane, and wherein the coverage data is received from an endpoint by at least using the user plane, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
 determine, from a universal subscriber identity module, configuration information of the endpoint; and   cause, based on the configuration information, a request for the coverage data to be sent.   
     
     
         14 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the supported type of data transfer corresponds to a short message service (SMS), and wherein the coverage data is received, from an endpoint, in an SMS response or a concatenated SMS response, and wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to:
 process an address of the endpoint and a token received from the control plane function; and   cause, based on the address, an SMS query for the coverage data and the token be sent to the endpoint.   
     
     
         15 . The component of  claim 11 , wherein the coverage data is received from the control plane function based on a transfer of the coverage data from an operation and maintenance server of the network to the control plane function. 
     
     
         16 . A network comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more memory storing instructions that, upon execution by the one or more processors, configure the network to:
 exchange, by a control plane function of the network, capability information with a user equipment (UE), the capability information indicating a supported type of data transfer for coverage data, the coverage data indicating at least one of location or timing of a network coverage by a non-terrestrial network (NTN) node of the network; and 
 cause the coverage data to be sent to the UE based on the supported type of data transfer, wherein communication between the UE and the NTN node is facilitated based on the coverage data. 
   
     
     
         17 . The network of  claim 16 , wherein the supported type of data transfer corresponds to a control plane, and wherein the coverage data is sent by the control plane function by at least using the control plane or a non-IP based delivery mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The network of  claim 16 , wherein the supported type of data transfer corresponds to a user plane, and wherein the one or more memory store further instructions that, upon execution by the one or more processors, configure the network to:
 send, by the control plane function to the UE, an address of an endpoint and a token, the endpoint storing the coverage data.   
     
     
         19 . The network of  claim 16 , wherein the supported type of data transfer corresponds to a short message service (SMS), and wherein the one or more memory store further instructions that, upon execution by the one or more processors, configure the network to:
 send, by the control plane function to the UE, an address of an endpoint and a token, the endpoint storing the coverage data.   
     
     
         20 . The network of  claim 16 , wherein the coverage data is sent by the control plane function based on a transfer of the coverage data from an operation and maintenance server of the network to the control plane function or in a system information block (SIB) broadcast.